$999 for a 3 CCD camera. Nice!
The NV-GS200 is part of the new Panasonic range with an array of new features and improved technology. Both sport an amazing Leica Dicomar lens which puts both camcorders right at the top of digital video camera technology. The new lens means images are captured more clearly than ever before and without fringing or ghosting. However, having such a crisp, clear picture doesn?t mean it will capture your bad side! All of the e.cam range feature a Soft Skin Detail function. This detects skin tones and specifically softens the focus in that area, making wrinkles and blemishes less noticeable. It is an effective way of optimising detail expression but can also be conveniently switched on or off as desired for individual scenes.
The 3CCD camera system used in professional video cameras has been advanced by Panasonic to make the system small enough for home video cameras. This means that the sleek, ultra compact NV-GS200 delivers images with natural, true-to-life colours on a par with broadcast TV image quality anywhere you go. This is achieved by the three CCD imagers, one for each primary colour, into which the incoming light is split. Since this picks up more light and handles each colour separately, it delivers a brighter, more natural image for more realistic results. Furthermore, the 3CCD technology allows the Crystal Engine image processor to be used. Each CCD?s signal gets processed in three ways to remove noise, achieve a high contrast with a high-resolution look, and make whites look whiter, blacks blacker and other fine details even more realistic.
The GS200 has a 10 x optical zoom, an SD memory card slot and DV input. Adding to the genius of these features is the simultaneous motion video and still picture recording (VGA), which means you can shoot stills and save them to the SD card whilst still recording movie footage. They also use a Tele Macro Mode to shoot distances as close as 40cm (previously 120cm). In addition, this function helps defocus the background for extreme close-ups of small objects and avoids casting a shadow on the subject. To view these images easily under bright light conditions, Panasonic has increased the contrast of the LCD screen by 180% using a brand new Power LCD.
These superbly compact camcorders can even take high quality stills, with the GS220 using 2.32 MEGA Pixels. The GS200 also has additional features for the home video enthusiast, including a built-in flash, comfortable air soft grip designed to reduce fatigue during long shooting sessions and importantly a manual focus ring. Furthermore, it takes stills in an impressive 2.32 MEGA Pixels and can record video in MPEG4 mode, ideal for e-mailing and posting your footage on the internet - so there?s no escaping watching the family holiday footage!